Hospitality Leadership Speakers for Workshops, Summits & Conferences
Keynotes, panels, and leadership development workshops built for the hospitality industry.
Empowered Hospitality founder Sarah Diehl and our team of senior HR and talent leaders bring real restaurant and hospitality experience to the stage. Sarah is a perennial speaker at the FAB Conference, a frequent speaker for the New York State Restaurant Association, a panelist for the James Beard Foundation, and a guest lecturer at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration.
Every session pairs inspiration with practical, ready-to-use tactics on leadership development, people strategy, employee retention, and building values-driven workplaces where people thrive, so your audience leaves with tools they can put to work right away.
How We Work Together
Tailored to Your Audience
We customize every keynote, panel, or workshop to your event goals, audience, and segment of the hospitality industry.
Inspiring and Practical
Sessions blend real-world stories with practical tactics and resources attendees can apply the next day.
Flexible Formats
Keynotes, panels, fireside chats, workshops, and leadership retreats, delivered in person or virtually.
Popular Speaking Topics
From conference keynotes to in-house manager trainings, our leadership development workshops and talks cover the people topics hospitality leaders care about most.
- Leadership Development for Hospitality Managers
- Intentional Career Growth
- Inclusive, Values-Driven Workplaces
- Recruiting & Retaining Top Talent
- Creating Workplaces Where People Thrive
- HR Fundamentals for Restaurant Owners
- Scaling People Operations for Growth
- And much more...
Actionable Takeaways
Engaging Delivery
Custom Content
Success Stories
Book a Hospitality Leadership Speaker
Planning a conference, summit, association event, or leadership retreat? We’re here to help. Our speakers bring hands-on hospitality HR to keynotes, panels, and interactive workshops, with sessions tailored to your audience.
Protect Your Restaurant with Structured HR Support
Learn More »
Protect Your Restaurant with Structured HR Support
Learn More »
HR Support for Small HR Teams in Restaurants & Hospitality
Learn More »
HR Support for Small HR Teams in Restaurants & Hospitality
Learn More »
Additional HR Expertise for Established HR Departments
Learn More »
Additional HR Expertise for Established HR Departments
Learn More »
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Empowered Hospitality’s speakers?
Our speakers are led by founder Sarah Diehl, a former restaurant general manager and HR director who holds SHRM-SCP certification, along with senior HR and talent leaders from our team. Together, they bring firsthand hospitality operations, HR, and recruiting experience to every session.
What types of events do your speakers present at?
We speak at hospitality industry conferences, summits, trade association events, culinary and beverage festivals, university programs, and private company events such as leadership retreats and manager trainings.
What leadership development topics do you cover?
Popular topics include leadership development for hospitality managers, intentional career growth, building inclusive and values-driven workplaces, recruiting and retaining top talent, creating workplaces where people thrive, and scaling people operations for growth.
Can you serve as a keynote speaker for our conference?
Yes. Sarah Diehl and our team regularly deliver keynote presentations for hospitality conferences and summits, as well as panel discussions, fireside chats, and moderated sessions.
Do you offer leadership development workshops for our managers?
Yes. We lead interactive leadership development workshops for restaurant and hospitality teams, from new managers to senior leaders. Workshops can be delivered as a standalone session or as part of a broader training and development program.
Can sessions be customized for our audience?
Yes. Every keynote, panel, and workshop is tailored to your event goals, audience experience level, and segment of the hospitality industry, so the content feels relevant and practical for your attendees.
Do you offer virtual or in-person speaking engagements?
Both. Our speakers present in person at events across the country and can also deliver engaging virtual keynotes, webinars, and workshops.
How long are your speaking sessions?
Session length depends on the format. Keynotes and panels typically run 30 to 60 minutes, while leadership development workshops can range from 90 minutes to a half or full day.
How far in advance should we book a speaker?
We recommend reaching out as early as possible, especially for conferences and peak event seasons, so we can confirm availability and tailor the session to your audience.
How do I request Sarah Diehl as a speaker?
Fill out the contact form on this page with your event details, date, audience, and the topics you’re interested in, and our team will follow up. You can also download Sarah’s speaker profile from her team bio page.